The Oklahoma Baptist Pastors Conference (OKBPC) serves as a much-needed time of renewal, connection, and inspiration for those who lead churches across the state. The 2024 conference, set for Monday, Nov. 11 at Moore, First, has the goal of encouraging pastors to stay strong in ministry with the theme of “Well Done,” drawn from the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:23: “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
This year’s Pastors Conference will highlight the concept of faithfulness into five key areas: family, preaching, leadership, longevity in ministry and personal life. These themes will be explored in depth through sermons, testimonies, and focused times of reflection and prayer.
This year’s conference brings together respected voices from within Baptist life. Mark Clifton, known for his passion for church revitalization and replanting and heart for small church pastors, will bring a wealth of experience to the conversation on leadership and longevity in ministry. Clifton’s love for pastors and churches in decline will resonate with many who are facing challenges in their congregations.
Jared Wilson, a leading author and advocate for Gospel-driven ministry, will also take the stage. Wilson’s works, such as The Prodigal Church and Gospel Wakefulness, have challenged many pastors to keep Christ at the center of their preaching and ministry. His session on the personal life of the pastor will be a great encouragement for weary pastors serving faithfully in the trenches. Along with these national figures, Oklahoma Baptist will be encouraged through stories of God working in the lives of pastors through testimonies, and messages rooted in God’s Word.
The OKBPC will also have time for pastors to worship together, pray for one another, and enjoy fellowship with those who share their calling. Times of worship will be interspersed throughout the day led by Dustin Searles from Durant, First. Guided prayer sessions in the Psalms will give attendees the chance to intercede for one another, their churches, and their communities.
Oklahoma Baptists sharing at the conference include Rob Lindley, Brayden Buss, Jace Hargrove, Jake Adams and Keith Wigington. Each of these men will challenge and encourage Oklahoma Baptists to be strong and stay the course in their areas of focus.
In the middle of the day, lunch will be sponsored by Send Network Oklahoma, where pastors can break bread together, connect with old friends, and form new relationships. They will highlight the work of Send Network in Oklahoma and Clifton will again speak to those at the lunch.
There will also be a separate time for the pastors’ wives during lunch featuring Tara Matlock and free lunch hosted by Sara Holmes and sponsored by Moore, First. They will have a panel discussion with a special door prize and other surprises.
New to this year’s conference is the presentation of the JB Rounds Award, which will honor a bi-vocational pastor who has demonstrated exceptional faithfulness in their ministry. Named in honor of JB Rounds, one of the founders of Falls Creek and leader of Oklahoma Baptists, this award is meant to highlight the importance of recognizing those who labor in smaller or underserved churches while also maintaining other careers. The goal of this award is to highlight a pastor who has devoted his life to bi-vocational ministry and earned the “well done” as a good and faithful servant.
The 2024 OKPBC team of Luke Holmes, Jeremy Freeman and Landon Warren have worked hard to ensure that pastors who attend will leave equipped to hear those cherished words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” not only in eternity but throughout their ongoing ministry. Led by pastors, and created for pastors, the OKBPC promises to be a time of refreshing, renewal and encouragement for all who attend.
